Improvement in stamp-canceiers



2 Sheets--Sh1eet1'.

NI. LEWIS. Stamp-Gance'ler.

Patented June 22,1875.

I i T'VITJVESSES Attorney THE GRAPHIC COPHOTOrLlTH.39&4-I PARK PLACLNX.

UNITED STATES PATENT DFFIGE.

MYER LEWIS, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN STAMP-CANCELERS.

' Specification forming part of Letters Patent No 164,687, dated June 2-2, 1875 application filed May 4, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MYER LEWIS, of San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Canceling- S tamps, of which the following is a specificatron:

This invention relates to an improved apparatus for canceling stamps, coupons, tickets; and other like articles in the sheet; and

it is principally designed for canceling revenation, with an ordinary hand-stamp, carrying the canceling devicts or type, and secured to a suitable bed or base, of a sliding table, to

which the stamp-sheet is attached, adapted to move upon said bed, being operated by means of a dog or pawl and a suitable stop secured to a lever pivoted to a standard attached to the bed, and connected to the piston of the stamp, said dog and stop operating, in combination with a ratchet-bar attached to the sliding ta ble, in such manner as to carry the stamp sheet forward the width of one stamp after each impression, for the purpose of bringing the stamps successively under the canceling devices or type, as hereinafter fully set forth. The invention also consists of certain other improvements, which will be fully hereinafter described.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my improved apparatus; Fig. 2, a side elevation of the hand stamp, and transverse section of the bed and table; Fig. 3, a detached transverse sectional view of the lever-standard through the adjustable fulcrum, and Fig. 4. a detached view of one of the ratchet-bars.

The letter A represents a hand-stamp of ordinary construction, provided with the usualcanceling devices or types, securely attached to one side of a horizontal bed or base, B, of wood, metal, or other suitable material. 0 represents the sliding table, setting upon said bed over a longitudinal guide-rail, D, formed upon, or secured to, the face of said table. The movable table consists of a flat platform of about half the length and width of the bed or base B, secured to, or formed with, two crosspieces on the under side, which extend entirely across the bed or base B. To the free ends of these cross-pieces are secured the clasps E E, in which the ratchet-barF is secured, the clasp E being formed with flexible jaws, which spring into recesses formed on each side of the ratchet bar for the purpose,

the clasp E being formed with rigid sides, the bar being secured therein by means of a pin, G. The ratchet-bar consists of a strip of metal, wood, or other material, having a longitudinal guide-strip, N, extending midway between its two sides along its upper face. On one side of said guide-strip are formedaseries of ratchet-teeth, H, and on the other side are set a series of pins, I, the objects of which will be presently explained. L represents an upright standard, firmly attached to the bed or base B, having near its upper end a vertical slot, M, in which the fulcrum N of the lever P is set, being fastened thereto by means of the washer It on one side and the screw-nut S on the other, and capable of being adjusted vertically therein, as is evident. The angle-lever P is pivoted to this fulcrum at its angle, being held thereon by means of a screw-nut, T. The long arm of said lever extends toward the stamp-piston U, which is provided with an angle-arm, U, near its upper end, which is connected to said long arm of the lever by means of a link, V. The said end of the lever P sets in a slot in the end of said link, and both the lever and link are provided with series of apertures for the purpose of adjustment, the two being secured together by means of an adjustable screw, A. The short arm of the lever P extends downward, and carries at its ex tremity a pivoted pawl or dog, B, which falls upon, and gears into, the ratchet-teeth on the ratchetbar. To the arm of the lever is secured a stud, O, carrying a spring, D, which can be made to catch under a' stud, F, on the dog or pawl, and hold it in an elevated position, away from the ratchet, when desired.

To the angle of the lever is secured rigidly a small bent arm, G, extending downward, and having pivoted to its end a rod, H, which acts as a stop to limit the motion of the table in connection with pins on the rack. Said rod passes through an adjustable guide-loop, I, which is secured to the lever-standard, and is capable of a lateral adjustment by means of the screw-nuts on either side, for the purpose of accurately adjusting the bar H! to engage the pins on the ratchet-bar. The letters K K represent a series of small points or pins set in the face of the sliding table, and L L two hingedblocks, one secured at each end of the table, in such position as to fall over said pins, apertures being formed in said blocks for the purpose. The stain psheet is held upon said pins by clamping the blocks down uponthe same, as will be readily understood.

For convenience of transportation the base or bed B may be formed in two parts, hinged together, as shown, in such manner that they can be folded together when the apparatus is not in use.

The ratchet-bars may be constructed of metal, wood, or other suitable material, in one piece; but I prefer to make them of a combination of wood and iron, for convenience, forming them of two strips of wood, with the metal guide-strip secured between by means of screws, rivets, clamps, or otherwise, as indicated in the drawings.

Any number of interchangeable ratchet-bars may be employed, each having different-sized teeth and differently-spaced pins, to adapt the apparatus to cancel stamps of dilferent denominations, the throw of the lever P being changed to suit each particular ratchetbar by means of the adjustable link and fulcrum.

It is evident that the hand-stamp may be of any improved construction, and may be provided with the usual inking devices or not,

as may be desired.

The operation of my apparatus is as follows: It being generally necessary to cancel the stamps at or near the middle of the same, the sheets are folded longitudinally, so as to fold each stamp at or near its center. The outer edges as thus folded are secured between the fastening blocks and pins to the sliding table,

' the folded edge falling against the side of the ratchet-bar. In this position the table can be moved until the canceling-stamp is over the first of the series of stamps on the sheet. The pawl or dog is then dropped onto the ratchetlaws"? teeth, and the apparatus is ready for operation. To cancel the stamps it will only be necessary to operate the piston back and forth as rapidly as possible. The down-stroke given it carries the pawl or dog back the length of a tooth on the ratchet-bar, and lifts the stop away from the first pin. The return-stroke throws the pawl forward the same distance, 4

which carries the ratchet-bar along with it, at the same time dropping the stop in front of the second tooth, and so on until the whole of the stamps on the sheet are canceled.

It is evident that a number of stamp-sheets may be secured to the table, and being lifted off successively, as stamped, to save the trouble of frequently inserting the sheets.

It will be seen that by the above-described apparatus stamps, coupons, tickets, or other like articles may be canceled, dated, or otherwise marked with regularity and reliability, as the sliding table must be carried forward exactly the proper distance at each return of the stamp after an impression, the stop-bar preventing it from being in any event carried too far. The interchangeable ratchet-bars render its application almost unlimited, as by simply multiplying these the same machine may be readily adapted to cancel any denomination of stamps or coupons, cards or tickets of any size.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. The combination, with a table, (3, provided with a ratchet-bar having, stops I for each notch, of an ordinary hand-stamp, an arm, U, connected with the plunger of the stamp, the link V, the lever P, carrying the pawl B, and the stop-bar H for engaging the stops I,

to limit the forward movement of the ratchetbar, all substantially as described.

2. The combination, substantially as de scribed, of the interchangeable ratchet-bars, provided with stops I, a pawl connected with the plunger of a hand-stamp for moving the ratchet-bar forward, and an adjustable stopbar connected with the said plunger, for successively engaging with the stops I, to limit the ratchet-bar in its forward movement, all substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand.

MYEIt LEWIS.

Witnesses:

ALBERT H. NORRIS, J os. L. (JooMBs. 

